White Night To Light Up Geelong and Bendigo This Year
Both Geelong and Bendigo will shine bright when White Night visits both this year, giving locals and businesses a boost as major events return to the calendar in 2021.
Last year’s White Night Bendigo, scheduled for October, was postponed due to the global pandemic and will this year take place on 2 October. Creative Director Joseph O’Farrell “Expect the White Night “wow factor” and a vibrant celebration of Bendigo, it’s going to be a transformational event with stunning lighting displays, celestial oddities, street eats and powerful, diverse voices.”
White Night Geelong will this year take place on 6 November, after the colourful spectacle made its debut in 2018. Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said “White Night will bring the best local and international creative experiences to Geelong and transform our beautiful outdoor spaces.”
Colourful projections and installations will bring streets, laneways and parks to life, transform the Geelong foreshore, and iconic Bendigo buildings. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said “White Night is one of the great spectacles that makes Victoria the creative state, and it delivers significant benefits to our regional communities.”
An expression of interest is now open to artists in the categories of installation, visual art, lighting, audio-visual, projection, film, music and performance exploring the theme ‘everything on the land is reflected in the sky’.
The 2021 program will embrace the global spirit of White Night as a vibrant and inclusive celebration of community participation through immersive art installations in city spaces.
Each city will be transformed through stunning illumination and projection, music, performance, art, culinary experiences, and interactive works from local, national, and international artists.
The program will capitalise on what makes each city unique and elevate the city’s cultural and gastronomic credentials, as well as reputations for design and rich music scene. “We’re working hard to deliver major events for Victoria in 2021 and White Night will be a great opportunity to celebrate Bendigo’s art and culture.” Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said, “This will be a fantastic night, attracting thousands of visitors and giving us the chance to showcase Geelong as a major events destination.”
Member for Lara John Eren added, “Victoria is the major events capital and I’m excited the White Night spectacular is returning to Geelong in 2021.”
Supported by the state’s primary tourism and events body, Visit Victoria, White Night 2021 is led by internationally acclaimed artist Joseph O’Farrell (JOF) who will lead the charge as creative director.
White Night Geelong 2018 attracted 70,000 attendees and delivered an economic impact of $6.1 million to the region.
In Bendigo it attracted a crowd of 60,000 people and generated $5.5 million for the local economy.
The return of White Night in 2021 will provide more good news for local businesses in both cities, and showcase local talent and produce as visitors converge on the city and give local tourism operators a boost.